"San Diego, the NFL's top-rated defense, is playing more fundamentally sound football, but is also playing faster, and getting outside pressure from linebackers Shawne Merriman, the 2005 defensive rookie of the year, and running mate Shaun Phillips. Phillips, a third-year veteran and a former situational defender who is now starting in place of the injured Steve Foley, actually has more sacks than Merriman (6 to 5½). Foley, who is out for the year with gunshot wounds, was a very good player, but the Chargers have been notably quicker with Phillips in the lineup."